Keith Steck is a resident of Milton.
I just read Mr. David Stevenson’s Opinion that Delaware should end our “failed” energy plan (“Governor should end failed energy plan”). I disagree. Part of the reason Delaware has not achieved some of its energy goals is because of federal government resistance to energy efficiency efforts, especially when Republicans held the White House, the House of Representatives and/or the Senate. Just look at the current administration, which Mr. Stevenson notes canceled all support for solar and offshore wind initiatives. No wonder Delaware hasn’t had better energy efficiency results.
And I don’t understand why Mr. Stevenson believes that natural gas or propane are so much better than electricity, solar energy or wind power. In fact, an ever-increasing number of health reports prove that indoor exhaust and fumes from propane and natural gas appliances — especially stoves — are causing asthma and other respiratory problems. No wonder building codes around the country are outlawing gas stoves in favor of induction or electric stoves! Hell, I wish we had known this when building our house eight-plus years ago — we would never had installed a gas stove!
And I’m reminded of the health concerns and the incredibly high cost of propane every time we get our propane tank refilled. Recently, our propane company filled up our tank and its bank account when it charged us — wait for it! — $5.12 per gallon! I don’t know what kind of math Mr. Stevenson uses, but that is outrageous and a hell of a lot more expensive than electricity produced by wind and solar power!
Moreover, our geothermal system has resulted in our electricity bill being half to one-third less than our friends’ regular electric bills! We figure, between the tax credit we got when we installed it and the incredible energy efficiency it provides, it paid for itself after seven years of lower HVAC energy usage and other electricity charges. Does Mr. Stevenson want to do away with geothermal energy systems, too?
Finally, given the growing public awareness that Delaware produces only about one-third of our electricity and “imports” from other states 66% of the electricity we use, we need to be doing everything legally possible to improve Delaware’s energy production and efficiency! We should be installing solar panels and wind production devices on every public building and installing geothermal systems at every public facility as soon as practical. And we should be mandating that every new home, business and commercial, industrial and public facility include one or more of these highly energy-efficient devices and equipment on-site to increase our state energy production. This kind of on-site energy equipment will not only increase our energy efficiency, it will decrease our energy dependence on other states and lower demand for distant energy production facilities, transmission pipelines and overhead power lines, as well as lessen our vulnerability to physical attacks, cyberattacks and damage. (Costs can offset through tax credits and other mechanisms.) It will also lower our need for old, dirty and harmful oil, gas and other outdated fuels — especially if we also ban propane and natural gas heating and cooking devices.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
